Apparatus for cleaning fabrics



May 26, 1936. R. A. HETZER APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FABRICS Filed June 18, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet l m R v ,6 M ATTOZVZ w May 26, 1936. R. A. HETZER 2,041,711

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FABRICS Filed June 18, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 NJVENTOR Awsd/ A. etze/f RNE .5

May 26, 1936. R. A. HETZER APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FABRICS G Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 18, 1930 INVENTOR ,Awsefl 19. #9820 [9M M ATTORN Y5 May 26, 1936. R. A. HETZER APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FABRICS Filed June 18, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 26, 1936.

v R. A. HETZER 2,041,711

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FABRICS 6 SheetsSheet 5 IQ, y.

Filed June 18, 1930 ATTORNEYS May 26, 1936. R. A. HETZER APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FABRICS Filed June 18, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ME mmomwsu xav zmwzue Zou MEM H a w d W um ATTORNEYS Patented May 26, 1936 PATENT OFFICE 2,041,711 APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FABRICS Russell A. Hetzer, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The American Laundry Machinery Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June is, 1930, Serial No. 462,061 In Great Britain May 29, 1930 17 Claims. (01. 68-38) My invention'relates to apparatus for treating fabrics and, particularly, to a method of treating be able to repeatedly use the same detergent and 1 to have the detergent equally effective in each operation or to use the same supply of detergent over and over in rapid succession. It is also desirable to have the entire circulating system as nearly closed to the outside atmosphere as possible to prevent loss of the volatile detergent into the atmosphere. However, means are preferably provided for giving suflicie'nt access to the atmosphere to prevent the formation of excess vacuum or pressure conditions within the apparatus. Further, it is highly desirable to have all of the necessary apparatus and pipe connections arranged in as compact form as possible.

In accordance with my invention; the method of treating fabric consists in employing a solvent having a low boiling point, for instance, carbon tetrachloride, and agitating the fabric within a pool of such solvent to remove the dirt and foreign matter from the fabric and cause its transfer to the solvent. The method of recovering the solvent after a treating operation consists in evaporating it at a temperature insuflicient to evaporate animal and vegetable oils and removing all of the mosture therefrom which may have been extracted from the fabric being treated and then condensing the evaporated solvent only and collecting it in a storage tank from which it may be transferred to the treating point as desired, all of these operations taking place in apparatus partially if not wholly closed to the outside atmosphere.

The apparatus designed to carry out my method comprises a storage tank for holding a supply of the treating solvent, a fabric treating compartmentwherein the treating operation takes place, a sump tank in which the solvent is collected after the fabric treating operation, a fan for circulating air through the treating compartment and thence through a condenser, an evaporator and then another condenser, an air heater and means for selectively employing such air heater or passing relatively cold atmospheric air through the apparatus, and means for extracting all foreign matter, including moisture and oils, from the solvent after each treating operation.

Various objects and advantageous features of my invention may be seen in the following description and one embodiment thereof may be seen in the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view of the sump tank constructed in accordance with my invention and shown in Figs.

. 1, 2, 3 and 4; Fig. 6 is a sectional View of a filter l5 constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 7 is a sectional view of another form of filter employed in my apparatus; Fig. 8 is a sectional view of one of the condensers; Fig. 9 is a sectional view of an air heater; Fig. 10 is a sectional plan view of an evaporator having a removable steam coil; Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the same eva.p orator shown in Fig. 10 but showing the baiiie plates; Fig. 12 is a side elevation showing the interlocking valve operating mechanism which I employ; Fig. 13 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is an elevation of a tub door constructed in accordance with my invention; and Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus which I employ in conjunction with my method for treating fabric.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown an apparatus for treating fabrics together with a means for supplying a volatile detergent to a treating compartment, removing the detergent from the washer after the treating operation, and then removing the foreign matter from the detergent and transferring it to a supply tank ready for use in a subsequent operation comprising a fabric treating compartment I that is provided on its interior with the usual rotatable goods container and is secured on one corner of a base frame 2. The rotatable goods container is driven in alternately reverse directions by a motor or power unit 3 (see Fig. 2)" which is operatively connected to the goods container by the usual speed reduction mechanism. Also mounted on the base frame 2, at a higher level than the treating compartment l, is a storage tank 4 for containing a supply of the volatile liquid used in the treating operation, this liquid being preferably although not necessarily carbon tetrachlpride. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and, 3, a conduit or pipe 5 connects the bottom of the storage tank 4 with the treating compartment I and is provided with a valve 6 for regulating the quantity of treating medium which passes from the storage tank 4 to the treating compartment.

In order to prevent any water or moisture which may collect and float on the surface of the treating medium within the storage tank 4 from gravitating into the treating compartment I through the conduit 5, the portion of the conduit 5 extending within the tank 4 is provided with two branches. One of these branches, the branch I, extends upwardly to a point adjacent the top of the tank 4 that is always above the level of the top surface of the treating medium within the storage tank. The other branch 8 preferably takes the form of a 90 elbow having its lower open end but slightly above the bottom of the tank 4 whereby the medium flowing out of the storage tank through the conduit 5 always flows from the lowermost part of the tank. A small vent pipe 9 is connected to the top of the storage tank 4 and preferably extends to the exterior of the building, the pipe being open to permit air to enter the tank 4 when the medium is withdrawn therefrom and to permit the escape of air from the tank when treating medium is supplied thereto.

To provide an air tight treating compartment and, at the same time, permit articles to be treated to be inserted into and removed therefrom, the compartment I has a hinged door I0 through which the goods to be treated are introduced and removed. The door I0 is equipped with suitable packing gaskets for an airtight fit and, as shown in Fig. 14, the upper edge of the door has hinge pins II that extend into angularly extending slots I2 in brackets I3 suitably secured on the compartment I.

At the lower edge of the door In, two or more eccentric cams I4 mounted on pivots I5 having handles I6 thereon are provided and the lower edge of the door I0 is equipped with replaceable striker plates II against which the cams bear in moving the door to locked position. Thus, as will be seen in Fig. 14, when handles I6 of the eccentric cams are moved upwardly as shown in Fig. 14, the lower edge of the door II) is pressed inwardly and upwardly against its seat on the treating compartment by the action of the cams and, since the slots I2 in the brackets I3 extend upwardly at an angle towards the compartment, the upper part of the door like the lower partthereof is forced tightly against the seat.

A conduit I8 leads from the bottom of the compartment I to a sump tank I9 located below the compartment and is provided with a valve 20 for controlling the fiow of treating medium from the compartment to the sump tank and a sight glass 2I for determining when all of the medium has been drained from the compartment and has passed into the sump tank.

As shown best in Fig. 5, the outlet end of the conduit I8 discharges into a strainer basket 22 that is conveniently located within the confines of the sump tank I9 and is made removable therefrom through a top opening normally closed by an air tight cover 23 (see Fig. 1). Such basket 22 is made of suitable wire mesh material and has a bail 24 by means of which it may beeasily removed and replaced within the sump tank. Thus, means is provided for .catching and retaining any small particles of foreign matter above a given size that may have'become separated from the goods in the treating compartment and for preventing such foreign matter from lodg or conduit 43 under subsequent treating operations; a pump 25 is provided as well as a motor or power unit 26 and suitable connections for operating the pump.

As shown in Fig. 15, the intake side of the pump .25 is connected to the sump tank I9 by a conduit 21 which is provided with a branch conduit 28 under the control of a valve 29 and terminating in a free end to provide a pipe or hose connection. The conduit 21 is also provided with a control valve 30 for regulating the fiow of medium from the sump tank I9 to and through the pump 25. Such valve 30 is normally open while the valve 29 is normally closed. However, when a fresh supply of treating medium from some outside source is to be supplied to the apparatus, the valve 30 is closed and the valve 29 is open, at which time a pipe or hose may be attached to the pipe connection 28 and the fresh supply of medium drawn into the apthe pipe 21 extending within the sump tank I3 terminates in a vertically extending T connection whose upper end 3I is adjacent the top of the sump tank and whose lower end 32 is adjacent the bottom thereof. The purpose of a T connection of this type is to always have the intake of medium from the sump tank adjacent the bottom thereof and to provide a means for regulating the lowest level of the medium in the sump tank which will be at the point where the conduit 2'I joins the T connection. This is highlyim portant in that it will maintain a seal for the lower end of pipe 32. A vent pipe 33 extends upwardly and outwardly from the top of the sump tank to the outside-atmosphere. As shown, this vent pipe may join the vent pipe 9 leading from the storage tank 4 and extend to the atmosphere in a common vent pipe 34.

As a'first step in the recirculation of the treating medium from the sump tank I9 to the storage tank 4, the medium is passed into a filter 35 by way of a conduit 36 leading from the discharge side of the pump 25 and under control ofa valve 31. A pipe or conduit 38 under control of a valve 39 leads from the pump discharge side or conduit 36 and terminates in a common pipe or hose connection. Normally when the apparatus is operating, the valve 39 is closed and the valve 31 is open'. However, to empty the system of treating medium, the valve 31 is closed and the valve 39 opened and a suitable hose or pipe attached to the connection 38 whereby the medium may be discharged from the system.

As shown in Fig. 6, the filter 35 comprises a cylindrical outer shell having one open end which is normally closed by an air tight removable cap 40 and a filtering bag 4I inside of the shell embodying a metal ring 42 adapted to be tightly clamped between the cap 40 and the shell to form an air tight joint. The end of the shell adjacent the inner side of the cap 40 and threadjace'nt side of the cap are cored out to provide passageways connecting the interior of the filter bag M with the conduit 36 and a pipe connection the control. of a 'valve :'44. Such pipe 43 connects the interior of the filter bag if for any reason it is necessary 4| with a pipe 45 which, in turn, as shown in Figs.

3 and 15, connects the filter 35 with the sump tank l9 through the conduit 21. The pipe 45 is under control of a valve 46. A pipe or conduit 41 connects the filter 35 with an evaporator mechanism 48 hereinafter described see Figs. 3 and 15. It will be noted that the pipe 43 is adapted to drain the liquid from the interior of the filter bag 4| while the pipe 45 is adapted to drain the medium from the outside of the filter bag. Therefore, both of these pipes are disposed at and. are connected to the bottom side of the filter shell. A branch pipe 49 under control of valve 50 connects the filter shell of the filter 35 outside of the filter bag 4| with the storage tank 4 through a portion of pipe 41.

In the operation of this part of the apparatus, when the system is in operation, the valve 31 is open and the valves 44, 46 and 50 are closed, whereby the treating medium is pumped from the sump tank l9 by the pump 25 and through the pipe 36 into the interior of the filter bag 4|, through the bag and into the outer shell of the filter 35, and thence through the pipe 41 into the main evaporator 48.where the filtered medium is converted into the vapor and thereafter rises and passes through the pipe 5| into a condenser 52, also hereinafter described. Within this condenser,the vapor is converted into liquid which gravitates through the pipe 53 provided with a sight glass 53 and into the storage tank 4. The pipe .41 is provided with a check valve 54 to pre-- vent liquid from fiowing backwardly from the evaporator 48 and into the filter 35. Also, to permit air to enter the filter 35 to compensate for the liquid flowing out of the filter shell or cylinder during the draining operation, a petcock 55 as shown in Figs. 3 and 6 is attached to the upper part of the filter 35 and may be conveniently placed in the pipe 41 as shown.

At times it becomes necessary to clean out the filter 35 and at such time the valve 31 in the pipe 36 is closed and the valves 44 and 46 are open which will permit the treating medium from within the filter bag 4| and from within the outside shell of the filter to gravitate through the pipes 43 and 45 and a part of pipe 21 into the sump tank I9. After the medium has all drained from r the filter 35, the cap 48 may be removed and the filter bag 4| drawn out of the shell and cleaned whereupon it may be replaced in the shell and the cap secured in place whereupon the filter is again in condition to properly function.

To further remove any water or moisture from the medium that has passed through the filter, evaporator, and condenser, and is passing into the storage tank, from entering the storage tank, a waste trap 56 as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3-, '7 and 15, is provided in the conduit leading from the condenser 52 into the storage tank, the trap being provided with a removable cap 5'! and being adapted to receive a quantity of cotton waste 58 through which the medium entering the storage tank must pass. A pipe 58 extends downwardly from the waste trap to a point a short distance above the bottom of the storage tank 4 which provides a liquid seal for the pipe 59 at all times and prevents any agitation of the contents when it is being filled by liquid entering through the pipe. skimming valves may be provided in the storage tank if desired.

While the capacity of the evaporator 48 is preferably sufficient to supply enough treating medium to the storage tank 4 to permit continuous operation of the apparatus and, at the same time, complete a generous supply of medium in the storage tank 4, an auxiliary evaporator 68 is provided to remove the remaining medium in the sludge removed from the main evaporator. This auxiliary evaporator is positioned at a lower level than the main evaporator 48 so that it is only necessary to open-the valve 6| provided in a conduit 62 that leads from the bottom of the evaporator 48 and into the evaporator 60 to supply sludge medium to the auxiliary evaporator. As shown, particularly in Figs. 2 and 15, 'a discharge vapor pipe 63 leads from the top of the auxiliary evaporator 60 and into the discharge pipe 5| leading from the top of the main evaporator to the condenser 52. A drain pipe 64 under control of a valve 65 is provided on the bottom of auxiliary evaporator 60 for cleaning out purposes. Both evaporators 48 and 68 have steam supply pipes 66 connected thereto for providing the necessary heat and the condenser 52 has cold water supply pipes 66 connected thereto for reducing the temperature in such condenser.

The construction of the main evaporator 48 previously referred to is shown in Figs. 10 and 11 wherein the main body portion 48 is shown as being closed at the top and bottom and as being provided with a vapor discharge pipe 5| at the top and a sludge discharge pipe 62 at the bottom thereof. At a point intermediate theends of the body portion and preferably above the center thereof is a horizontal partition 61 having its central portion in the form of a cone with its apex cut away to provide an opening 68. A screen 69 is secured across the base of the cone to intercept the foam arising from the heated cleaning liquid.

A plurality of brackets 10 are positioned just above the partition 61 and support a cone whose largest diameter is somewhat smaller than the inside diameter of the evaporator shell so as toform an opening between the base of the cone and the evaporator shell through which the vapor must pass on its course to the outlet pipe 5|. These partitions or bailles provide a means for preventing foaming or priming and forcing of -dirty medium through the lines into the storage tank. In operation, the vapor rises from the surface of the heated medium, passes through the screen 69. thence upwardly through the opening 68, thence outwardly and upwardly through the opening between the cone H and the shell of the evaporator and finally through the outlet pipe 5|, the liquid of condensation above and below the partitions or bailles draining back to the bottom of the evaporator through a pipe '13.

The evaporator 48 is also provided with readily removable steam coils M as shown in Fig. 10 wherein the evaporator body is shown as being provided with an opening 15 having a'border flange 16 to which is removably secured a plate 11 and cap 18. The open ends of the steam coil 14 are rigidly secured in the plate 11 and a steam inlet I9 is provided in the cap 18. In operation 70 The steam supply pipe 66 leading to the main evaporator 48 as well as to the auxiliary evaporator 60 receives its supply from a main supply pipe 89 and is provided with a valve 98 operable by a rod 9| that slides freely through the perforated end of the valve lever 92. Adjustable stops 93 and 94 are fixed on the rod 9| above and below the lever 92 to contact with opposite sides of the lever and move the same to open or close the valve as the rodis raised or lowered. The lowermost end of the rod 9| is fixed to a fioat 95 that rides on the surface of the medium in the sump tank I9 and the parts are so arranged and connected that the valve will be automatically operated by raising or lowering of the float as the level of the medium in the sump tank rises or falls above or below the predetermined level. Thus, means is provided for automatically controlling the supply of steam to the evaporators. The switch controlling the operation of the motor 26 which drives the pump 25 may be connected to and operable by the rod 9| whereby the flow or movement of the treating medium from the sump tank to the evaporator is automatically regulated by the amount of medium in the sump tank.

A single operating handle or lever 96 is provided at the front of the device for selectively operating either the'supply valve 6 which controls the flow of medium from the storage tank 4 to the treating compartment I or the drain valve 20 which controls the fiow of fluid from the washer compartment I to the sump tank l9, but only one thereof at any time. The construction of the hand lever 96 to effect such operation of the two valves is best illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 wherein the lever is shown as being mounted between the crank arm 91 which is connected to the supply valve 6 by a rod 98 and a crank arm 99 which is connected to the drain valve 20 by means of a rod I00. Both of the arms 91 and 99 and the lever 96 are loosely pivoted on a short supporting shaft I M that is secured in the frame of the machine. As seen in Fig. 13, the hub of the lever 96 is arranged to operate each of the valves through a lost motion connection including integral lever lugs I02 and I03 extending oppositely and in the path of cooperating lugs I04 and I05 on the crank arms 91 and 99 respectively, these cooperating lugs being so arranged that swinging of the lever 96 on its pivot in one direction will cause the'rotation of the crank arm 91 about its pivot, but without eifect upon the other valve, and swinging of the lever 96 in the opposite direction will move the crank arm 99 about its pivot, again without effect upon the other valve. Suitable springs I06 as shown in Fig. 4 may be provided for returning the valves to their normal position after operation by movement of the respective crank arms connected thereto. This operating mechanism is so constructed that when the lever 96 is in neutral position both valves 6 and 20 are held in closed position by the springs I06.

In addition to the hereinbefore described apparatus for recirculating and renovating the treating medium, suitable apparatus has been provided for deodorizing and drying the goods as a part of the treating operation and before removal of the goods from the washing compartment. As shown in the drawings, a fan I01 is located near the treating compartment I, the fan being driven by a motor I08. One discharge of the fan is connected by means of a duct I09 to an air heater IIO which is, in turn, connected to the treating compartment I by a duct I I I. An

air duct II2 connects the compartment I with a condenser H3 and the air discharge of this condenser is connected by duct I I I to the intake side of the fan I01. The liquid discharge from the condenser II3 passes through a pipe H5 to a point within and close to the bottom of the sump tank l9. Such pipe hasa sight glass I I6 therein for determiningwhen liquid is flowing from the condenser I I3 to the sump tank.

The condenser II3 has one end closed by a perforated plate 8 I the plate providing a supporting means for a plurality of tubes 82 which are open at one of their ends. Such tubes 82 extend inside the condenser to practically the opposite wall where they are closed by suitable plugs 83. A second plate 84 is spaced a short distance from the plate 8| and provides a supporting means for a plurality of open ended tubes 85 that are smaller than tubes 82 and register with the tubes 82 in a manner as to be disposed within such tubes when the apparatus is in assembled relation, the tubes 85 terminating a short distance from the plugs 83 in thetubes 82. A third plate 86 is spaced a short distance from the plate 84 and is provided with a water inlet 81. In the operation of this part of the apparatus, cold water from pipe 66 flows into'the inlet 81, thence through the small tubes 85, thence back through the large tubes 82 and into the space between the plates BI and 84 and thence out through the outlet pipe 66 Therefore, hot

vapor forced through the main container around the pipes 82 becomes cool and is converted into liquid, finally passing through the pipe H5 and into the sump tank.

In the drying operation, the fan I01 is placed in operation whereby air from the heater I I0 will be forced through the compartment I and will gather vapor from the goods therein and carry such vapor through duct IIZ to the condenser II3, wherein the treating medium is condensed, the air passing onwardly through duct H4, fan I01, duct I09, and heater IIO back through the compartment I while the condensed vapor removed therefrom passes through the pipe II5 to the sump tank I9. It will be understood that the air is reheated at each passage through the heater H0 and that the air is continuously circulated through the compartment until the condensed liquid ceases to pass through the pipe II5, that is, until there is no more treating medium in the goods to be picked up by the moving air, and visible through sight glass II6.

Means are also provided for deodorizing the goods in the treating compartment. This deodorizing operation takes place after the drying operation just described. Suitable air valves I I1, I I8 and I I9 are provided at convenient places inthe various parts of the air circulating system and are operable simultaneously and by a single means and held in normal closed position by a. single spring I20. After the drying operation, the air valves H1 and H9 are opened, and valve I I8 is closed by moving a suitable lever I I1 which will permit atmospheric air to be drawn into the system through the valve II9, passed through the dried goods in the compartment I and thence be discharged through duct II2, condenser II3, duct II4, fan I01, valve H1 and duct I2I to the atmosphere. Such forced circulation of atmospheric air through the treated goods is continued until the goods are thoroughly deodorized after which they are removed from the compartment I and a fresh batch to be cleaned The construction of the air heater I I0 is shown in Fig. 9 wherein the open end of the shell or condenser is closed by a plate I 23 which supports the open ends of a plurality of bent tubes I24.

1 A second plate I25 is spaced a short distance from the plate I23 and both plates are rigidly secured to the main body portion or shell or container by suitable means. The plate I25 is provided with a steam inlet pipe I26 through which steam is supplied that passes to and through the pipes I24 over which the air passes in its circulation. An'opening I2! is provided to relieve the space between the plates I23 and I 25 of any water of condensation.

Suitable push button mechanism I28 on a panel board I29 controls the operations of the pump motor 26 and the fan motor I08. The treating compartment motor 3 is controlled by a hand lever I30 provided adjacent the hand lever 96 and the supply of steam coming from the main supply pipe 89 to the air heater III] is controlled by a valve I3I under control of anoperating means I3I on the panel board. Another valve I32 under control of an operating means I32 on the panel board is provided for controlling the flow of water'through the pipe 66 to the condenser H3 and thence through another pipe 66' to condenser 52.

A part of my improved apparatus for treating fabrics consists in the provision of an apparatus of such construction that the treating medium during the treating operation, does not have free communication with the atmosphere as does the medium in the storage tank which'has free communication with the atmosphere at all times through the vent pipe 9. As hereinbefore described, the vent pipe 33 for the sump tank I9 has its open end above the surface of the medium in the sump tank (see Fig. 5) whereby no seal'is maintained against free communication between the gas space in the sump tank and the atmosphere. However, the compartment I does not have free communication with the gas space of the sump tank, due to the normally closed valve 20.

It is also desirable to prevent free communication from the treating compartment to atmosphere at any time when the treating compartment contains an appreciable quantity of v'olatile solvent or is in open communication with any container which contains such solvent. Free communication of the treating compartment to atmosphere occurs only when the air valves H1, H8 and H9 are in the one pass position with atmospheric air openly admitted at II9 to flow through the treating compartment and condensor to atmosphere at I2I. I therefore provide an interlocking connection between the air valves or their operating means, on the one hand, and the valves 6, 20, or their operating means, on the other hand, which control communication to the treating compartment of the storage reservoir and sump tank respectively, such interlocking connections preventing movement of the air valves to the one pass position when either of the valves 6, 20 is open, and also preventing opening .of either of the valves 6, 20 when the air valves are in the one pass position.

This mechanism comprises a bell crank lever I 33, best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, and having two arms, one hooked or bent and the other straight, which respectively cooperate withthe lever 96 which controls valves 6 and 20 and with the lever III which controls the air valves. The bell crank lever is pivoted at I34 to a portion of the machine frame and its normal position is shown in Fig. 2, where both of the levers 96 and I I I are also shown in normal position, that is, with the valves 6, 20 both closed and the air valves in the repeated circulation position 11- Again assuming the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2, if the lever 96 is moved either up or down to operate one or the other of the valves 6, 20, as the case may be, the lever 96 comes to a position opposite the end of the bent arm of lever I33 or to a position adjacent the shank of said bent arm, and in either case, the lever 96 in its new position now serves as an abutment which locks and prevents movement of the bell crank lever I33 and therefore holds said lever in effect stationary, so that it obstructs and prevents any movement of the lever III to actuate the air valves and, perforce, compels said air valves to remain in the repeated circulation position of Fig. 15, so long as either valve 6 or valve 20 is open.

The sump tank I9 is provided with an overflow pipe I35 which enters the top of the sump tank and extends downwardly inside the tank to a short distance of the bottom thereof to always form a liquid seal between the outside atmosphere and treating medium within the tank.

As shown, the upper end of the overflow pipe above the top of the tank is provided with an inverted U bend I36 to prevent any foreign matter entering the sump tank through the overflow pipe. One end of the sump tank is provided with a sight glass I31 whereby the level of the medium in the sump tank may be observed.

A quantity of moisture will be extracted from the goods in the treating compartment during each treating operation, a part of this moisture being taken up with the hot air during the drying step previously described and passing into the condenser and then finally draining back into the sump tank. The remaining part of such moisture passes with the treating medium through the conduit I8 directly into the sump tank wherein all moisture floats on the surface of the medium so that nohe of it is drawn from the sump tank by the pump 25 hereinbefore described. Long continuous use will cause a considerable quantity of moisture or water to gather superposed upon the surface of the medium in the sump tank and this water may be drawn ofl, whenever necessary, through a water drain valve I38 provided at one end of the sump for that purpose.

In some plants it may be preferable to connect the top of the treating compartment I, the storage tank 4, and the sump tank I9 by suitable piping I39 shown by the dotted. lines in Fig. 15. In this event, the vent pipe 34 could either remain open so that the entire system is open to the at mosphere or the vent pipe 34 could be closed after the apparatus is once filled w th liquid whereby the entire system would be closed to the atmosphere during the treating operation.

Referring to the drawings and the preceding description, it will be seen that I have provided an apparatus for treating fabrics embodying numerous novel and advantageous features. For instance, I have provided a fabric cleaning apparatus of such nature that, while the fabric treating compartment is sealed against free communication with the atmosphere and the storage tank from which a supply of treating medium is taken may or may not have free communication with the atmosphere. Another advantageous feature resides in the .fact that means is provided for admitting atmospheric air to the fabric treating compartment for deodorizing the fabric after a treating operation together with control mechanism which will prevent treating medium from the storage tank from entering the fabric cleaning compartment during the time such atmospheric air is being admitted thereto.

Still another advantageous feature resides in the fact that I have provided an apparatus embodying means for collecting and removing any water which may collect in and become mixed with the treating medium. It is well known that water and some treating mediums, particularly, carbon tetrachloride, form destructive acids which, when allowed to remain in the apparatus, will in time destroy the apparatus. This destructive feature is eliminated primarily by the provision of means for collecting the water in the sump tank, preventing it from being drawn into the other parts of the apparatus, together with means for removing such water at various times. Various other novel and advantageous features will be readily apparent.

What I claim is:

1. Dry cleaning apparatus wherein fabric is subjected to treatment with a volatile solvent, comprising a. treating vessel, a condenser, means for circulating air in a closed path between the condenser and treating vessel, a collecting vessel for said solvent, means for maintaining a minimum level of solvent liquid therein, said collecting vessel being vented to atmosphere, and a drain connection from said condenser communicating with said collecting vessel below said minimum level of liquid.

2. Apparatus of the character described in claim 1, including a drain pipe from the treating vessel to said collecting vessel.

3. Dry cleaning apparatus wherein fabric is subjected to treatment with a volatile solvent which is heavier than water, comprising a treating vessel, a condenser, means for circulating air in a closed path between the condenser and treating vessel, a collecting vessel for said solvent, means for maintaining a minimum level of liquid therein, said collecting vessel being vented to atmosphere, a drain connection from said condenser communicating with said collecting vessel below said minimum level of liquid, and a drain connection from said collecting vessel at a level above said minimum liquid level therein, for skimming therefrom any water layer superposed upon the solvent liquid.

4. Apparatus of the character described in claim 3, including'a drain pipe from the treating vessel to the collecting vessel.

5. Dry cleaning apparatus wherein fabric is subjected to treatment with a solvent which is heavier than water, comprising a treating vessel, a condenser, means for circulating air in a closed path between the condenser and treating vessel, a sump tank vented to atmosphere, apparatus for reclaiming used solvent, means for conducting the-solvent from the sump tank to said apparatus and arranged to maintain a minimum level of liquid in the sump tank, a drain connection from said condenser communicating with the sump tank below the minimum level of liquid therein, and a drain connection from said sump tank at a level above the minimum level of liquid therein for skimming therefrom any water layer superposed upon the solvent liquid.

6. Apparatus of the character described in claim 5, including a drain connection from the treating vessel to said sump tank.

'7. Dry cleaning apparatus wherein fabric is subjected to treatment with a volatile solvent, comprising a treating vessel, a condenser, means for circulating air in a closed path between the condenser and treating vessel, a vessel containing liquid solvent and vented to the atmosphere, and a drain connection from said condenser communicating with said vessel containing liquid solvent below the level of liquid therein.

8. Dry cleaning apparatus wherein fabric is subjected to treatment with a volatile solvent comprising conduit connections extending from said apparatus to atmosphere, said conduit connections including a liquid seal and a liquid drain from said apparatus to said liquid seal.

9. Dry cleaning apparatus wherein fabric is subjected. to treatment with a volatile solvent comprising a treating circuit and a reclaiming circuit, and conduit connections extending from at least one of said circuits to atmosphere, said conduit connections including a liquid seal and a liquid drain from at least one of said circuits to said liquid seal.

10. Dry cleaning apparatus wherein fabric is subjected to treatment with a volatile solvent' comprising a reclaiming circuit and conduit connections extending from said reclaiming circuit to atmosphere, said conduit connections including a liquid seal and a liquid drain from said reclaiming circuit to said liquid seal.

11. Dry cleaning apparatus wherein fabric is subjected to treatment with a volatile solvent comprising a treating circuit and conduit connections extending from said treating circuit to atmosphere, said conduit connections including a liquid seal and a liquid drain from said treating circuit to said liquid seal.

12. Dry cleaning apparatus wherein fabric is subjected to treatment with a volatile solvent, comprising a treating circuit including a. washer and a condenser, a sump tank, conduit connections extending from at least one of the vessels in the group consisting .of said washer and said condenser, to atmosphere by way of said sump tank and including the liquid in said sump tank as a seal.

13. Dry cleaning apparatus wherein fabric is subjected to treatment with a volatile solvent, comprising a treating circuit, a sump tank, and conduit connections extending from said treating circuit to atmosphere by way of said sump tank and including the liquid in said sump tank as a seal.

14. Dry cleaning apparatus wherein fabric is subjected'to treatment with a volatile solvent, comprising a sump tank having a vent to the atmosphere, a drain connection from the portion of said apparatus above the sump tank to said sump tank, the liquid in said sump tank constituting a seal between said vent and said drain, and means for maintaining a, minimum level of liquid in said sump tank.

15. Dry cleaning apparatus wherein fabric is subjected to treatment with a volatile solvent, comprising a sump tank vented to the atmosphere, a drain extending to the bottom of the sump tank from another part of the apparatus, and means for maintaining a minimum level of liquid in said sump tank.

16. Dry cleaning apparatus wherein fabric is subjected to treatment with a volatile solvent comprising a treating circuit, a sump tank for containing solvent, a vent pipe extending from the treating circuit to the lower portion of said sump tank, means for transferring liquid from the bottom portion of said sump tank to another part of the apparatus, and means for rendering said transferring means inoperative before the level of liquid in said sump tank falls below the lower end of said vent pipe.

1'7. Dry cleaning apparatus wherein fabric is subjected to treatment with a volatile solvent, comprising a treating'circuit, a sump tank for containing a solvent, an evaporator, a vent pipe extending from the treating circuit to the lower portion of said sump tank, means for transferring liquid from the bottom portion of said sump tank to the evaporator, and means for rendering said transferring means inoperative before the level of liquid in said sump tank falls below the lower end of said vent pipe.

RUSSELL A. HETZER. 

